Vol. 1, No. 12
“…ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40
December 2005
Uganda Projects – Kampala and Mbale
By Vicki Kritzell
As we close out 2005, we can
hardly grasp the momentum the work
has taken in providing so many bless-
ings to Hope Center, Glory Center, and
the widows and orphans of Uganda. As
we celebrate the many gains that have
been made, we also realize there is end-
less misery and suffering that require
us to forge ahead. We thank God
for the hearts and minds he has
opened thus far, and pray that he
continues to bless this work so
that we might help more, one at a
time, as has been our path.
As Hope for Children Cen-
ter flourishes from the outpour-
ing of support gained by Pastor
Maurice’s visit this summer, we
are able to turn more of our atten-
tion to the needs of Glory Center
in Nairobi and our ministry in
Uganda. I wish to tell you that in
the past month, four more
widow’s families have been spon-
sored! Can you imagine for a mo-
ment that you are one of these women?
You have been thrown off the land
that you owned with your husband, as
you have no right to land inheritance. If
you refused to become a wife to one of
his clan members, all of your posses-
sions were sold, with none of the
money realized going to you or your
children. You have been banished,
along with your children, to live at the
mercy of others. The problem is that
these “others” are also struggling to
survive in an economy with little hope
for work or education. They do not
welcome your presence. Perhaps you
are a grandmother, required to look af-
ter several small children whose par-
ents have died from AIDS or tribal
warfare. You may be so old and weak
you can barely care for yourself, but
you suddenly have babies to care for.
The children are starving and weak
from hunger. Going to school is not an
option because of no uniforms and
empty bellies, with the closest school
several miles away through dangerous
areas. There is no governmental infra-
structure to turn to, no family, and the
churches are filled with people in your
same circumstances. But you still be-
lieve God will provide. Half way
around the world, someone hears your
cries. Imagine in your most desperate
hour, a man on a bicycle comes and tells
you “There is a family in America who
loves you, who wants to educate your
children and provide for your future.”
Suddenly there is light in a dark
existence. As our sponsors and
donors, you are that light, and
God put the fire into your hearts.
Such is the case of Jane
Kakayi, a 72-year-old widowed
grandmother who is caring for
eight children. Her husband died
in 1992, after a long illness. He
died a “natural death.” They had
four children; three sons and one
daughter. The daughter and one
son have died of AIDS. The son
left three young children and the
daughter left four. The eighth
child was left with this grand-
mother while very young and had
been adopted by her.
Jane is typical of many such grand-
mothers in Uganda who are struggling
to raise children with little or no re-
sources. Gaze about your home, and
then think about Jane’s, likely a single
room with a thatched roof. She loves
her grandchildren as you love yours,
but every day is faced with the possibil-
Hearth to Hearth Ministries’
72-year-old Jane Kakayi and her eight grandchildren.
